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Maryland sues Cecil County-based manufacturing company for polluting water with PFAS chemicals

Maryland sues Cecil County-based W.L. Gore for toxic PFAS contamination
Maryland sues Cecil County-based W.L. Gore for toxic PFAS contamination 00:42

BALTIMORE -- Maryland is suing Cecil County-based manufacturing giant W.L. Gore & Associates for knowingly polluting the air and surrounding water with toxic Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown alleges in the lawsuit that W.L. Gore released toxic "forever chemicals" for more than half a century during manufacturing, causing widespread contamination of drinking water and the state's natural resources, including surface water, groundwater, soils, sediments, plant, and animal life. 

PFAS chemicals are often used in nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing and firefighting foam. The chemicals do not break down in the environment and can stay in our bodies over time. Researchers have found that PFAS chemicals are present in the blood of nearly all Americans, CBS News reported.

The chemicals can also be used as a thin layer that blocks water from passing through fabrics. The technology can be found in W.L. Gore & Associates' "Gore-tex jackets," according to CBS News.

In 2023, CBS News reported that W.L. Gore & Associates debuted a technology that uses non-fluorinated materials, and said the company plans to "transition the vast majority of its consumer portfolio by end of 2025."

The attorney general's lawsuit asks that the company pay all costs relating to the investigation and cleanup of the chemicals.

"PFAS are linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, and can even harm the ability to bear children," said Attorney General Brown. "It is unacceptable for any company to knowingly contaminate our drinking water with these toxins, putting Marylanders at risk of severe health conditions. Our office will not tolerate companies that put profits ahead of the health and safety of Maryland families." 

"While we appreciate Gore's limited investigation to ascertain the extent of PFAS contamination around its facilities, much more needs to be done to protect the community and the health of residents," added Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. "We must remove these forever chemicals from our natural resources urgently, and we expect responsible parties to pay for this remediation." 

PFAS in Drinking Water 

In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented standards to limit the amount of "forever chemicals" in America's drinking water. 

"The final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses," the agency said. 

According to the agency, the latest science shows "there is no level of exposure to these contaminants without risk of health impacts, including certain cancers." 

At the start of the school year, at least 10 Harford County schools were found to be contaminated with PFAS. School officials said the water was not safe to drink, so bottled water was provided.

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